Endless Love (Santa’s Secret Helpers #5) - Leeanna Morgan Page 0,53
“We never talked about how many children we wanted.”
He smiled and closed the tailgate on the back of the truck. “How many would you like?”
“Two?”
“That isn’t very many.”
Shelley frowned. “You have five sisters, so I understand why you want a large family. But six? That’s like an entire basketball team with one reserve.”
“Just imagine the fun we could have.”
“Is that before or after the babies are born?”
John smiled. “It could be both. Why don’t we compromise?”
“Three.”
“Four. And I promise I’ll make you breakfast in bed every Mother’s Day.”
Shelley thought that was a reasonable compromise, but there was always room for a little more negotiation. Especially since they weren’t even pregnant with their first baby. The chance of their having four children was so low it wasn’t worth considering.
“Okay. Four children, but you make breakfast in bed for us every Sunday.”
John wrapped his arms around her waist. “It will have to be an early breakfast. I have to be at the church by eight-thirty each Sunday.”
“I can live with that.” Leaning forward, Shelley kissed him lightly on the lips. “It’s a deal.”
“So,” he said with a gleam in his eyes. “What are you doing tonight?”
“There’s a movie on Netflix I want to watch.”
He shook his head. “I’ve got a better idea.”
His deep, gravelly voice sent shivers down Shelley’s spine. “You do?”
“I do. And it doesn’t involve watching TV.”
“Shelley!” Bailey flew down the stairs. “Come quick. Sam’s gone into labor.”
For a few seconds, Shelley stared at her sister, trying to work out if she’d heard her correctly.
Bailey pulled her toward the house. “Caleb called Zac. He said it’s probably a false alarm, but he’s coming over, anyway.”
“Sam can’t have her baby now. She isn’t due for another four weeks.”
“Tell that to the baby.”
Shelley looked over her shoulder. It was just as well John was following them.
They might need all the divine intervention they could get.
Chapter 15
Shelley stood outside Bailey and Steven’s bedroom, nibbling her nails as Zac examined Sam.
“Can you hear anything?” her mom asked.
She pressed her ear to the door. “Nothing.”
Ted rubbed his wife’s shoulder. “We should go back to the kitchen and have a cup of chamomile tea.”
“I have to stay here. Sam might need me.”
“She’s with Zac.”
Elena frowned. “He is a doctor. Sometimes a woman needs her mamma.”
Shelley touched her dad’s arm. There was no point arguing with their mom. The only way he’d get her to move was if Sam joined them in the hallway. “It’s okay. I’ll get a chair so Mom can sit down.”
“I’ll get one,” John said. “You wait here.”
Shelley wasn’t arguing. She was as worried about Sam as everyone else. Goodness knows what anyone would think if they saw them. Steven and Mila were sitting on the floor playing tic-tac-toe. Their dad was hovering behind their mom, probably more worried about his wife than he was about Sam. And Bailey was leaning against the wall, staring into space.
“Has anyone told Caleb’s sister what’s happened?” Shelley asked.
“Megan changed her cell phone and I don’t have her new number,” Bailey replied. “But Steven and I were able to contact everyone else who was coming. They all sent their best wishes.”
Shelley was thankful for Bailey and Steven’s help. She checked her watch. “Megan was coming earlier than everyone else. She should be here any minute.” With one last look at her family, she reluctantly stepped away from the door. Bailey would have to listen for any updates. “I’ll wait for Megan and William in the living room.”
Steven looked up from the floor. “I’ll let you know what’s happening.”
“Thanks. Who’s winning?”
Mila grinned. “Me. If Dad doesn’t win this game, I’ll be the tic-tac-toe champion.”
Shelley crossed her fingers. “Good luck.”
With a serious nod, Mila returned to their game.
Halfway down the hallway, she passed John. “Thanks for getting a chair for Mom,” she whispered. “I think Dad’s worried this will be too much excitement for her.”
“It’s no problem. Hopefully, we’ll know what’s happening soon. Where are you going?”
“Megan and William will be here soon. I’ll wait for them on the veranda.”
John nodded. “I’ll join you as soon as Elena is sitting down. Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“That would be lovely. I’ll turn on the coffeepot.” With a heavy heart, Shelley turned toward the kitchen.
“Hey,” John said gently. “Cheer up. Sam will be okay.”
“I hope so.”
“Zac knows what he’s doing. If he can deliver a baby in the middle of a desert, he can look after your sister.”
Shelley took a deep breath. Zac had worked for Doctors Without Borders